This Famous South Dakota Road Was Deemed “Impossible to Build” Until a Stubborn Governor Proved Everyone Wrong

Needles Highway in South Dakota

This 14-mile road, built in 1922, curves through the Black Hills among towering granite spires that reach toward the sky. When engineers first saw the rocky terrain, they said building a road here would be impossible.

But South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck wouldn’t give up – he rode on horseback through the area himself, marking the future path with red flags.

Today, this road in Custer State Park draws thousands of people who come to drive its sharp turns and squeeze through its narrow tunnels. Here’s why it’s an absolute bucket list drive.

Where Should You Start?

Deciding which end to start your drive depends on your starting point and destination. Both directions offer unique views, and it’s not likely to make a big difference which way you go. If desired, you can always drive both routes in one day to experience both sides.

When entering Needles Highway, it’s often recommended to start at the Sylvan Lake entrance. However, traveling from Keystone and Mount Rushmore leads you through Custer State Park in the opposite direction. This alternate route offers stunning views and a memorable drive, showing that the journey itself can be just as enjoyable, no matter which direction you choose.

Why Native Americans Called These Peaks the Needles

Long before the road existed, the Lakota people gave these spires their name. They held sacred ceremonies beneath these towering rocks, which reminded them of needles piercing the sky.

These pointed rocks reach up to over 6,000 feet high, though some are so thin their bases are only a few feet wide. Nature spent millions of years creating these spires, slowly wearing away the granite until only these sharp peaks remained.

What Makes Mountain Goats Perfect for Living on the Spires

About 120 mountain goats call these granite cliffs home, and they’re amazing to watch. You’ll often spot them standing on ledges barely six inches wide, especially if you visit early in the morning.

These goats aren’t actually native to the area – six of them were brought here in 1924, two years after the road opened. Now their descendants thrive here, teaching their kids how to climb the steep rock faces.

How Iron Creek Bridge Stays Up in the Air

Iron Creek Bridge seems to float above the canyon floor. Building it was incredibly hard work – workers had to carry heavy bags of cement and steel beams up steep slopes.

The bridge has arches and can handle extreme weather, from a deep snow to temperatures between -40°F and 110°F. Every stone in the bridge was cut by hand to fit perfectly with the others.

Why the Wind Makes Music in the Rocks

When the wind blows faster, you’ll hear something unusual. The air rushes through gaps between the rocks – some only three feet wide – creating whistling sounds that echo through the hills.

You can hear these natural wind songs from half a mile away. The best time to listen is on autumn afternoons, when steady winds from the northwest create the clearest sounds.

How Sunlight Changes the Color of the Rocks

The granite here contains lots of mica – about 40% of the rock is made up of these shiny crystals. This makes the spires change color throughout the day. In the morning and evening, they look pink or golden.

On cloudy days, you might see purple or blue tints in the stone. The colors look even better after rain, when millions of tiny mica pieces reflect the sunlight. The best show happens during golden hour, when the sun sits low in the sky.

What Makes the Highway’s Tunnels Special

Workers in 1922 used explosives and steam drills to create two tunnels through solid granite. It took them almost year to finish the construction.

Johnson used 150,000 pounds of dynamite to make the tunnels but they also had to be extremely careful while removing the tons of rock. Using too much explosive power could have made whole sections of the mountain collapse.

Where Buffalo Used to Walk Through the Hills

Parts of the highway follow paths that buffalo created thousands of years ago. These old trails are worn up to three feet deep into the ground.

You can still find smooth rocks where countless buffalo rubbed against them. These polished spots go up exactly 6 feet – the height of an adult buffalo.

Traffic on Needles Highway

While the Black Hills offer many amazing experiences, driving the Needles Highway during peak season or on holiday weekends can be frustrating. Finding a place to pull over for the views or waiting in long lines to pass through the famous tunnels can take away from the experience, especially when you’re hoping to capture the perfect photo or video of your trip.

To avoid the crowds, consider timing your visit. The month of May (except for Memorial Day weekend) typically offers low traffic. June and some of July can also be more relaxed if you avoid the holidays. Midweek visits are generally quieter, so if you’re in town for a long weekend, try exploring on Friday or Monday for a more peaceful drive.

What Makes These Rocks So Old

The spires started forming about a billion years ago. Back then, the rock was squeezed by pressure of 50,000 pounds per square inch. Over millions of years, the rocks slowly rose to the surface and were carved into the shapes we see today.

Some spires balance on bases just one-third as wide as their tops. Look closely and you’ll see stripes of white feldspar, black biotite, and sparkly mica in the rock.

Which Ancient Plants Live on the Rocks

Crusty patches of lichen grow on these rocks – some colonies can cover a small area and are over 1,000 years old. These plants haven’t changed in million of years.

The lichen grows very slowly, less than 1 millimeter each year. As it grows, it slowly shapes the granite surface, creating natural patterns across the rock faces.